Water woes plague Warsaw’s budget

Posted on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at 7:59 am

Halfway through the fiscal year, the town of Warsaw is once again facing what has rapidly become an annual dilemma: shortfalls in water and sewer income.
While nearly all other incomes and expenditures are on target, losses in user fees have some officials concerned and looking at how to best offset those deficits without taxpayers shouldering the burden.
Currently, the wastewater user fees are down just over $50,000 with an annual projected budget of $751,375 and total mid-year income of $$325,126.
“We are off by about 7 percent,” said Warsaw Town Manager John Slusser in a Feb. 7 interview.
“If we are down that at the half, it means 14 percent loss overall, or approximately $80,000 to $90,000 below where we need to be,” he said, adding that decreased users and conservation efforts have resulted in the lower-than-expected income.
According to Slusser, the key to solving the dilemma will be up to town council and how best to entice new users.

-Read the full story in this week’s Northern Neck News, on stands now!